A repeat DUI offender is facing a list of new charges for another DUI incident where a Stafford Sheriff’s Office volunteer was hit.
According to Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, on Thursday, shortly after midnight, a traffic safety volunteer was directing traffic in the area of Garrisonville Road and Keystone Drive amid paving work.
A vehicle came through the intersection “at a high rate of speed,” hit the traffic volunteer, and kept going, the Sheriff’s Office reported. The volunteer, whose identity wasn’t released, radioed to deputies reporting that he was hit by a car that continued westbound on Garrisonville. Soon afterward, deputy C.C. Crossett located the suspect vehicle, which had crashed into an embankment near Algrace Boulevard.
The driver, 52-year-old Daniel Andrew Schmitt of Stafford, reportedly told police he crashed because of speed. According to the Sheriff’s Office, although the traffic volunteer had a marked police vehicle at the intersection with the lights on and he was also wearing a reflective vest, Schmitt said he was completely unaware that he had hit someone before crashing.
Schmitt was described as having a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and having glassy eyes. He reportedly told police that he had seven drinks in Washington DC.
Schmitt, whose driver’s license was revoked at the time for DUI has had two prior DUI convictions within 10 years, the Sheriff’s Office noted.
He was charged with DUI third offense in 10 years with blood alcohol content over .2, felony hit and run, driving after forfeiture of his license, driving revoked in a manner to endanger life or limb, and failure to yield to flashing lights.
Schmitt is currently being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail with bond denied, correctional records show.
The volunteer was transported to the hospital. It was determined that no bones were broken, and the injuries were “luckily” deemed minor, the Sheriff’s Office said.
...
Follow the Watchful Eye on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with what's happening in Virginia!
Comments / 0